Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-12
CHAPTER VII

Some days later the insurance offices two
In number received the formal announce
ment of Lord Montbarry's death. from her
ladyship's London solicitors. The sum in
sured in each office was e, 0G0-on which one
years premium only had been paid. In the
face of such pecunlary emergency as this.
the directors thought it desirable to consider
their position. The medical advisers Of the
two offices, who had recommended the inSur-
ance OF Lord Montbarry's life, were called
into council over their own reports. The
suit excited some interest among persons con-
nected with the business of life insurance
Without absolutely declining to pay the
money, the two sofiices-acting in concert
decided on sending commission of inquiry
to Venice, ''for the purpose of obtaining
further information"
Mr. Troy received the earliest Intelligence
of what was going on. He wrote at once to
communicate his news to Agnes; adding what
he considered 70 be a valuable hint, IN these
words:
"You are Intimately acquainted, know,
with Lady Barville, the late Lord Mont
barry's eldest sister, The solicitors employed
by her husband are also solicitors to one of
the two insurance offices. There may posi-
bly, be something in the report of the commits
sion of inquiry touching on Ferrari's disap-
pearance. Ordinary persons would not be
permitted, of course, to see such a document.
But a sister of the late lord is so near ii rela-
tive as to be an exception to general rules.
If Sir Theodore Barville puts it on that foot
ing the lawyers, even if they do not allow
Is 70 tn lpNtr ut tba will OF Ions
answer any discreet question she may ask re-
ferring to it."
The reply was received by return of post
| Agnes declined to avail herself of Mr. Troy 8
| proposal.
| My interference, innocent.as it was" she
| wrote, "has already been productive of such
| depiorable results that cannot and dare not
stir any further in the case of Ferrari. If l
| had not consented to let that unfortunate
man refer to me by name, the late Lord
| Montbary would never have engaged him,
and his wife would have been spared the mis-
cry and suspense from which she is suffering
| now. | would not even look at tine report to
which you aflude if it was put in my hands
| have heard more than enough already of
that hideous life in the palace at Venice. II
| Mrs. Ferrari chooses to address herself to
Lady Barville-with your assistance-that is,
| of course, another thing But, even in this
case ! must make it a positive condition that
my name shall not he mentioned Forgive
me, my dear MIR. Troy am very unhappy,
and very unreasonable--but | am only a
woman, and you must not expect too much
from me-"
Fooled in this direction, the lawyer next
Al.
present address of Lady Montbarry's English
maid This excellent suggestion had one
drawback: it could only be carried out by
spending money-and there was no money t.
spend Mrs Ferrari shrunk from the bar,
idea of making any use of the 81 900 note
1t had been deposited in the safe keeping of &
bank. If 1t was even mentioned III her bear
ing, she shuddered and referred to it, witt
melodramatic fervor, my husbandh
blood money!
So, under stress of circumstances, the at
tempt to solve the mystery of Ferraris dis
appearance was suspended for awhile,
1t was the last month of the year 1880. Th
commission of inquiry was already at work
having begun its Investigations on Dec.
On the 10th the term for which the late Lori
Montbarry had hired the Venetian palace ex
| pired. News by telegram reached the insu
rance offices that Lady Monthairy had beeI
advised by her lawyers to leave for Londol
with as little delay as possible. Baron Rivar
it was believed, would accompany her +
England, but would not remain in that coun
try unless his services were absolutely re
quired by her ladyship. The baron, "we
known as an enthusiastic student of chemis
try had heard of certain recent discoyerie
in connection with that science in the Unite